Monday, July 29, 2013

Climate Change county level management committee formed

Four months ago, a zebra attacked and ate alive a young boy
in Musenke location during the last dry spell in the area. Since then, there
has been a number of incidences reported where zebra due to lack of pasture
have attacked human beings. In the past when rains could be predicted,
pastoralists used to allow their sheep to mate during the dry season between
June and July so that the lambs will be born at the beginning of the short
rains. Availability of pasture and water ensured survival of lambs; since rains
became unpredictable and droughts became more severe, sheep are allowed to mate
throughout. Wild fruits and vegetables
used to form part of the daily meals for the residents of Nguruman, nowadays
most of these naturally occurring plants no longer exist.

These are some of the stories that came up on the 25th
of July 2013 during a meeting that brought together state actors and CSOs to
deliberate on the effects of climate change and come up with mitigation
strategies that involved all stakeholders.

Provincial administration, the ministry of Agriculture and
non state organizations working in three locations – Olkiramatian West,
Olkiramatian East and Musenke - attended the meeting where they all agreed that
climate change effects are crosscutting and touch on all the areas of their
operation. Non state actors present included the organizers of the meeting
Kenya Climate Change Working Group (KCCWG), Arid Lands Information Network
(ALIN), South Rift Association of Land Owners (SORALO) and Oldonyo Laro
limited.

State actors and SCOs representatives at the meeting

A committee made up of representatives from state and non
state actors and headed by the Divisional officer was formed to deal with
environmental degradation issues and create a joint worplan – from August to
December – of activities and advocacy campaigns.

Top on the committees agenda is controlling illegal
harvesting of trees by educating the public on the laws and policies governing
harvesting of trees and ensuring that these laws are followed, banning
unlicensed power saws, centralizing the issuance of permits to cut trees,
creating a fast reaction mechanism in cases in dealing with offenders and
banning charcoal trade.

According to meeting proceedings, Most of the charcoal
produced in Nguruman is transported to other areas – residents of the three sub-locations
use firewood which is easily available. Traders have started cunningly concealing
charcoal in crates and bags made for agricultural products to evade impound at
the Kenya Wildlife Service Nguruman station.

The new committee shall organize 2 open days where farmers
and organizations will discuss and share information on climate change and
participate in tree planting exercises. In
addition to this, the committee will hold 5 monthly barazzas, one in each
sub-location to create awareness on the issue of climate change in order to
involve the public in mitigation efforts.

Mr. Bainito Atonya, Division Agricultural Extension Officer

- Magadi Division - addresses an advocacy meeting.

One such meeting was organized by the
Ministry of Agriculture on 27th July 2013 at Entasopia market where
farmers were briefed on the formation of the committee and its mandate.